Scoresheet

ROHNERT PARK, Calif. - Four second-half goals gave the Cal State East Bay water polo team a 7-5 win over Sonoma State on Friday afternoon. The Pioneers (14-9) out-scored the Seawolves 4-2 in the second half to earn their seventh win of the season over a WWPA opponent. 

Sonoma State opened scoring just two minutes into the game, but East Bay quickly answered with a goal from Carly Clark to tie the game. Claire Pierce and Sophie Armstrong each chimed in as well, giving the Pioneers their first lead of the game and a 3-1 advantage at the end of the first quarter. 

In a low-scoring second period, the two teams combined for four exclusions but just two goals. Both scores came from the Seawolves, who ended an 11-minute scoring drought to tie the game at three goals apiece at the half. 

Sonoma State continued the momentum with its third straight goal, opening the third quarter to take back the lead for the first time since the opening score. The Pioneers responded on an Erica Crain goal with 5:05 remaining in the quarter, tying the game 4-4. Neither team scored again until the fourth quarter. 

The Seawolves opened scoring in the last quarter on a 6-on-5 goal, taking a 5-4 advantage with 6:42 remaining. From there, the Pioneers scored three straight goals, begining with the tying goal from Crain with 5:46 to play. Sara Hudyn gave East Bay back the lead for the first time since the second quarter with a goal with just over four minutes remaining.

The Pioneers then held off Sonoma State for a pair of 6-on-5 chances before Pierce gave East Bay a 7-5 lead with her second goal of the game. The Pioneers held the Seawolves scoreless for another two minutes to finish off the victory. 

Pierce and Crain led East Bay with two goals apiece, while Armstrong, Clark and Hudyn each added a goal.

Cal State East Bay returns to action next weekend, when it plays host to Cal State San Bernardino before heading to The Bronco Invitational. The Pioneers and Coyotes will meet for Senior Day at Pioneer Pool on April 13 at 5 p.m. before playing four games at The Bronco in Santa Clara on April 14 and 15.